Bhubaneswar: In a significant push toward strengthening the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem and advancing women-led development, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated a series of transformative initiatives during the “Udyami Odisha MSME Programme” held at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar. The event coincided with the International MSME Day celebrations and marked a major milestone in Odisha’s industrial and women empowerment roadmap.
The Chief Minister launched the Odisha Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), initiated with support from NITI Aayog, describing it as more than an institutional mechanism—it is envisioned as a mission to position women as economic leaders in the state’s development journey. Alongside this, a one-year action plan for the WEP was also unveiled.
Women at the Centre of Odisha’s Development Vision
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasized a transformative vision for the state where women are not just job seekers but job creators. He reiterated that Odisha’s development model aims to shift women from being consumers to producers and from participants to leaders of economic growth.
He stated that the newly launched WEP Odisha Chapter will integrate key institutions such as Mission Shakti, MSME Department, Startup Odisha, banking institutions, and industry partners on a single platform. This convergence is expected to provide women entrepreneurs with streamlined access to finance, mentorship, skill development, and market linkages.
ଆଜି ଅନ୍ତର୍ଜାତୀୟ MSME ଦିବସ ଅବସରରେ ଲୋକ ସେବା ଭବନଠାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ‘ଉଦ୍ୟମୀ ଓଡ଼ିଶା’ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ଯୋଗଦେଲି । ମାନ୍ୟବର ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @narendramodi ଜୀଙ୍କ ମାର୍ଗଦର୍ଶନରେ ଆମ ସରକାର ଅଣୁ, କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ର ଓ ମଧ୍ୟମ ଉଦ୍ୟୋଗର ସର୍ବାଙ୍ଗୀନ ବିକାଶକୁ ସର୍ବୋଚ୍ଚ ପ୍ରାଥମିକତା ଦେଉଛନ୍ତି। ଏହି ପରିପ୍ରେକ୍ଷୀରେ ଆଜି ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ଓ… pic.twitter.com/X6KlxQ394Y
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 27, 2026
The Chief Minister also highlighted the success of the state’s flagship Subhadra Yojana, under which more than one crore women have been empowered, marking a significant step toward financial independence and self-reliance.
Strong Growth in Women Entrepreneurship and MSME Contribution
Citing data from surveys conducted by IIM Sambalpur, State Bank of India, and AI-based voice assessments, the Chief Minister noted a remarkable rise in women-led enterprises in Odisha. The share of women-managed enterprises has increased from 25 percent to 53 percent, reflecting more than a twofold growth in participation.
He further stated that MSMEs now contribute nearly 30 percent to Odisha’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underlining their role as a critical driver of economic expansion.
Additionally, beneficiaries under welfare and empowerment schemes have reported an average increase of Rs 6,887 in bank savings, indicating improved financial inclusion and economic stability at the grassroots level.
Major Industrial Infrastructure Push Across Odisha
The state government also announced and inaugurated multiple industrial infrastructure projects aimed at promoting cluster-based development and regional economic growth.
In Balasore, a Rice Milling Cluster developed at a cost of ₹24.18 crore was inaugurated. The facility is expected to boost rice bran oil production and enhance value addition in the agricultural processing sector.
ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ମହିଳାମାନଙ୍କୁ ଉଦ୍ୟୋଗ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ପ୍ରୋତ୍ସାହିତ କରିବା ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟରେ ‘ଓଡ଼ିଶା ରାଜ୍ୟ ମହିଳା ଉଦ୍ୟମିତା ପ୍ଲାଟଫର୍ମ’ର ଶୁଭାରମ୍ଭ କରିଛନ୍ତି। ନୀତି ଆୟୋଗର ସହାୟତାରେ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥିବା ଏହି ପ୍ଲାଟ୍ଫର୍ମ’ (Women Entrepreneurship Platform- Odisha Chapter) କେବଳ ଏକ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠାନ… pic.twitter.com/kVoEzV3fmt
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) June 27, 2026
At Pahala, the foundation stone for a ₹17.70 crore Rasagola Cluster was laid, designed to scale up the production of Odisha’s traditional sweet delicacy from 7,000 kg to 11,000 kg per day, thereby strengthening local food industries and heritage-based enterprises.
In addition, two Multi-Product MSME Parks were inaugurated in Ganjam and Kalahandi districts, each developed at an investment of ₹10 crore. These parks aim to provide shared infrastructure for diverse small and medium enterprises, improving productivity and competitiveness.
The government also announced plans for upcoming Engineering, Printing & Packaging, and Cashew Clusters, reinforcing its strategy to develop specialized industrial hubs across the state. The Chief Minister added that every district in Odisha is being targeted for the establishment of at least one multi-product MSME park.
Strengthening MSME Ecosystem and Export Growth
Odisha’s MSME sector has witnessed substantial expansion, with over 4.32 lakh enterprises benefiting from central and state government schemes. Under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), nearly 4,900 small enterprises have received subsidies amounting to ₹146 crore, with women constituting 42.5 percent of beneficiaries.
Through credit guarantee schemes, more than ₹23,000 crore in collateral-free loans has been extended to entrepreneurs. The CM-SRIM scheme has further reduced financial burdens by covering interest costs for MSME borrowers.
The state’s export performance has also strengthened significantly, with total exports reaching ₹95,568 crore in the previous year, reflecting Odisha’s growing integration into global markets.
Vision for a $500 Billion Economy by 2036
The Chief Minister outlined an ambitious roadmap to transform Odisha into a $500 billion economy by 2036. He emphasized that the MSME sector will play a central role in achieving this goal, supported by sustained investments in infrastructure, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
He called for collective efforts to build a “prosperous Odisha and developed India,” highlighting that inclusive growth driven by women and MSMEs will define the state’s economic future.
Odisha Recognized for Strong Fiscal Performance
Speaking at the event, NITI Aayog representatives acknowledged Odisha’s strong economic trajectory. The state has recorded higher Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth compared to the national GDP rate.
Notably, Odisha secured the top position in the Fiscal Health Index 2026, driven by robust fiscal management and increased investments in healthcare and infrastructure sectors. The state was also described as an emerging hub in sunrise sectors such as textiles and tourism, reinforcing its status as a “dynamic Odisha.”
Collaborative Governance for Inclusive Development
Senior government officials, including representatives from the MSME and Industries departments, emphasized that the new WEP platform will ensure coordinated support systems for women entrepreneurs. It will bring together banking institutions, industry associations, and government agencies to create a unified ecosystem for enterprise development.
Officials also highlighted ongoing partnerships in sectors such as handicrafts, skill development, homestays, and technology-driven enterprises.
The “Udyami Odisha MSME Programme” marks a significant step in Odisha’s strategy to build an inclusive, innovation-driven, and women-led economic model. With large-scale infrastructure development, expanding MSME participation, and targeted empowerment initiatives, the state is positioning itself as a key growth engine in India’s eastern development corridor.
As Odisha moves toward its 2036 vision, the emphasis on women entrepreneurship and MSME expansion is expected to play a defining role in shaping a resilient and self-reliant economy.
